The Hip Hop Nutcracker

The Hip Hop Nutcracker at First Interstate Center for the Arts

Hip hop dance meets Tchaikovsky's music. A classic holiday story lands in contemporary New York City. The Hip Hop Nutcracker takes everything familiar about the original tale and reimagines it with a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist and MC Kurtis Blow bringing the stage to life. On Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 7:30 PM, First Interstate Center for the Arts in Spokane becomes the place to see a holiday production built for the whole family, not just ballet fans.

Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop's founding voices, opens the show with a short set. The production itself follows Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince through their dream adventure: battling mice, visiting the land of sweets, learning the lessons of the season. Digital graffiti and visuals shift the landscape away from 19th-century Germany into the vibrant sights and sounds of today's New York streets. This version keeps the heart of the story while making room for a different kind of energy.

Bring the people who make your holidays complete. A production designed for all ages gives grandparents, parents and kids something to enjoy together without anyone sitting politely through someone else's tradition. The choreography, music and visuals create an experience that holds attention across generations, turning a Thursday evening into a shared memory worth keeping.

Check ticket options for The Hip Hop Nutcracker and plan a night that celebrates the holiday season through dance, music and storytelling. This is what leaving the house in December should feel like.